Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Peter Farrugia meets acclaimed author Marcus Sedgwick, whose novels are introducing storytelling to a whole new generation of readers.

Since Marcus Sedgwick’s arrival in Malta, he has attended events at the book fair, given a load of school presentations and appeared on television promoting literacy and good storytelling to eager teens.

You’ve got to tell a great story to buy the right to teach children anything

“They were all very receptive, they loved it,” says Sedgwick, “communication is what it’s all about”.

Sedgwick is an award-winning British author and illustrator, whose Raven Mysteries series of books have struck a chord with adolescents across the world.

“Some say they’re dark depressing books, but I disagree. They’re about big themes and contain supernatural elements, but the hero is always gentle. He or she encounters a difficult situation and needs to think before acting. It’s more about optimism than anything. Now, if I wrote about unpleasant people – that would be depressing!”

While working in publishing (after reading for a degree in mathematics, then politics) Sedgwick saw just how exciting it would be to write for a living.

“I realised books for teens are different, the mechanics of publishing aren’t the same – in adult fiction you’ve got clear divisions, while adolescent fiction is allowed to be more vibrant.”

Asked about the sorts of things he liked to read when he was young, Sedgwick is quick to mention Susan Cooper, “she’s great for atmosphere and mood,” and Mervyn Peake.

“Peake’s Gormenghast books were hugely influential on me as a teen. I loved reading myths too, Greek and Norse especially.”

Most of Sedgwick’s reading these days is limited to research for his next novel, much of which takes place on the internet – he’s keen to point out that one of its greatest benefits is the availability of digitised research material.

“The downside to being online is that people now feel obliged to run a blog, a twitter account, Facebook, and it’s all quite time-consuming. Though thanks to internet I’ve been able to give author visits by Skype to classrooms in America. They could ask questions while I was in my writing shed, it was special.”

Ebooks may have their place, but Sedgwick wouldn’t be too eager to write off paperbacks just yet. “My books are now all available on Kindle, but honestly, I prefer ‘real’ books. It’s not a situation like you have with CDs – we should lead children to a love, and respect, for books. You can’t take an ebook into the bath with you, either!”

Talking about the process of writing itself, Sedgwick says: “Around 90 per cent of my time is spent thinking about the story and the rest is spent actually writing. I write quickly, mostly in the morning. I always need to know what happens next, where I’ve got to get to next.” Plot ideas excite him most of all, placing characters in unexpected situations that keep readers guessing.

“I’ve written 20 books and I’m always challenging myself. How can I keep readers, and me, interested?”

Sedgwick has recently begun work on an adult novel: “I’ve been thinking about it for years,” a horror story that explores the human relationship with blood.

“I’m also working on a new series called Raven Boy and Elf Girl. There’ll be six adventures, and the pair will have to save their world from destruction. It’s got an environmental theme but I don’t want to use my books to preach to children. You’ve got to tell a great story to buy the right to teach them anything.”

In promoting literacy and imagination to the young, writers like Sedgwick and organisations like Merlin Library (which facilitated his visit) are shaping a new generation of readers.

And with a film in production, a new book series on the way and plans for a graphic novel, Sedgwick looks set to reach an even broader audience of fans with his own particular brand of mystery and magic.